Exploring Anjanadri Hill: Hanuman's Birthplace
I embarked on a recent journey to Anjanadri Betta, the sacred hill near Hampi that is renowned as the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. However, this trip turned out to be more than just a pilgrimage; it was an enlightening exploration of the rich history and spiritual significance of this remarkable place.
Anjanadri Betta, located approximately 25 kilometers from Kamalapur in Hampi, offers a serene setting for seekers of divine connection. To reach this hallowed ground, I traversed through the town of Anegundi and navigate some rugged roads, thanks to the assistance of my trusty SatNav.
Perched atop a hill, the temple overlooks the majestic Tungabhadra River, formerly known as Pampa. As I ascended the 575 steps to the summit, I marveled at the breathtaking landscape, characterized by stone gorges, colossal granite boulders, and the meandering river. While the renowned Virupaksha temple could be spotted on the opposite bank, the rest of the remnants from the once-mighty Vijayanagara Empire remained concealed from view, adding a sense of mystique to the surroundings. The towering gopura of this temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, graced the landscape.
For budget-conscious travelers seeking value for money, I recommend staying at Mayura Bhuvaneshwari, conveniently situated near the ruins of Hampi. It's a short 45-minute drive from the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. The rooms are clean, the food is satisfactory, and the ambiance is enhanced by the lush green gardens. What's more, it's operated by the Karnataka Tourism board. If you prefer a resort experience, Kishkinda Resort is a popular choice among foreigners, offering opportunities for cycling and exploring the nearby hamlets.
At the temple entrance, a small aquarium houses a specimen of the floating rock believed to be used in constructing the Ram Sethu. A saint who was reciting bhajans joined us for tea, introducing himself as Ram Khilavan Mishra. Two visiting ladies turned out to be Sadhvis from Gorakhnath Math in Uttar Pradesh.
Outside the temple, a friendly group of monkeys eagerly awaited coconut offerings, while surprisingly, squirrels were also spotted in this rocky terrain. This unique blend of wildlife reflects the devotion and presence of Lord Hanuman's other devotees in this sacred place.
The journey to uncover the birthplace of Lord Hanuman continues beyond Anjanadri Betta, weaving through the rock-cut temples of Vijayanagara and culminating at the Panchamukhi Kshetra, the cave temple where Sri Anjaneya revealed himself in his five avatars: Hanuman, Hayagriva, Narasimha, Garuda, and Varaha to Swami Guru Sri Raghavenda (know the real life 'Lagaan' incident that occured during the British rule here)
A journey in search of Hanuman birth place begins at Anjanadri betta, his glory reverberates in the rock cut temples of Vijayanagar (like the Hazara Rama temple), attains a crescendo at the brindavan of Swamy Raghavendra and culminates at the Panchamukhi Kshetra, the cave temple where Sri Anjaneya revealed himself to the Swami in his five avatars -‘pancha-mukha’ avatar
Anjanadri Betta, located approximately 25 kilometers from Kamalapur in Hampi, offers a serene setting for seekers of divine connection. To reach this hallowed ground, I traversed through the town of Anegundi and navigate some rugged roads, thanks to the assistance of my trusty SatNav.
Perched atop a hill, the temple overlooks the majestic Tungabhadra River, formerly known as Pampa. As I ascended the 575 steps to the summit, I marveled at the breathtaking landscape, characterized by stone gorges, colossal granite boulders, and the meandering river. While the renowned Virupaksha temple could be spotted on the opposite bank, the rest of the remnants from the once-mighty Vijayanagara Empire remained concealed from view, adding a sense of mystique to the surroundings. The towering gopura of this temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, graced the landscape.
For budget-conscious travelers seeking value for money, I recommend staying at Mayura Bhuvaneshwari, conveniently situated near the ruins of Hampi. It's a short 45-minute drive from the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. The rooms are clean, the food is satisfactory, and the ambiance is enhanced by the lush green gardens. What's more, it's operated by the Karnataka Tourism board. If you prefer a resort experience, Kishkinda Resort is a popular choice among foreigners, offering opportunities for cycling and exploring the nearby hamlets.
Anjanadri Hill: History, Topography, and Spiritual Significance
Anjanadri Betta's topography is a mesmerizing blend of geology and mythology. The landscape features a harmonious interplay between rocks, the meandering river, lush paddy fields interspersed with coconut groves, and ancient stone structures from the Vijayanagara era emerging from natural rock formations. Tourists flock here to witness the captivating sunset, which adds the final touch to this visual spectacle. For Hindus, this place represents a fusion of geology and mythology, with its seven magnificent hillocks steeped in the religious epic of the Ramayana, serving as a backdrop to the splendid Vijayanagara architecture.
These seven hillocks, including Kishkinda, Anjanadri, Matanga, Malyavanta, Rushyamukha, Hemakuta, and Rathnakuta, have significant connections to the Ramayana. Kishkinda, nestled within the Dandaka forest, was the monkey kingdom during the Treta Yuga, where Sugriva and Hanuman played pivotal roles. Nearby Rushyamukha hill served as their dwelling place, where Lord Rama sought their assistance in his quest to rescue Sita. Inscriptions in Kannada dating back to AD 1069 from Devighat and AD 1088 at the Somnatha temple in nearby Munirabad testify to these events.
Hemakuta Hill, where Lord Shiva performed penance before marrying Pampa, and the nearby hamlet of Anegundi, believed to be Kishkinda according to Valmiki's Ramayana, further reinforce the connection to the epic. The largest monolithic statue of Ugra-Narasimha, the man-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu, can be found in Hampi, adding to the region's rich historical tapestry.
Anjanadri Hill Hanuman temple: The small temple atop the Anjandri Betta which signifies the Hanuman birth place is strikingly modest compared to the massive profile of lord Hanuman in the Hindu pantheon and his place in the hearts of millions of devotees. A young hindi speaking lad from UP carried out the aarati of the swambhu (naturally formed) vigraha of lord Hanuman. He appears in his classic stance i.e, sideways posture, his oblique eyes fixing his grace on the devotee as one enters the sanctum sanctorum. In the adjacent room, two Sants were immersed in a non stop recitation of bhajans in front of the holy triumvirate; Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman made from pure white marble. In the same vicinity, a statue of Anjanadri, the divine mother, faces north, while the others face east, emanating an intense aura.
Hemakuta Hill, where Lord Shiva performed penance before marrying Pampa, and the nearby hamlet of Anegundi, believed to be Kishkinda according to Valmiki's Ramayana, further reinforce the connection to the epic. The largest monolithic statue of Ugra-Narasimha, the man-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu, can be found in Hampi, adding to the region's rich historical tapestry.
At the temple entrance, a small aquarium houses a specimen of the floating rock believed to be used in constructing the Ram Sethu. A saint who was reciting bhajans joined us for tea, introducing himself as Ram Khilavan Mishra. Two visiting ladies turned out to be Sadhvis from Gorakhnath Math in Uttar Pradesh.
Outside the temple, a friendly group of monkeys eagerly awaited coconut offerings, while surprisingly, squirrels were also spotted in this rocky terrain. This unique blend of wildlife reflects the devotion and presence of Lord Hanuman's other devotees in this sacred place.
The journey to uncover the birthplace of Lord Hanuman continues beyond Anjanadri Betta, weaving through the rock-cut temples of Vijayanagara and culminating at the Panchamukhi Kshetra, the cave temple where Sri Anjaneya revealed himself in his five avatars: Hanuman, Hayagriva, Narasimha, Garuda, and Varaha to Swami Guru Sri Raghavenda (know the real life 'Lagaan' incident that occured during the British rule here)
Update 17-10-2021
French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain visits Anjanadri Temple
In recent updates, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has declared Japali Theertham near Akasha Ganga waterfall in Tirumala Hills as the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, claiming research and evidence.
As I conclude this journey, it becomes clear that Anjanadri Betta and its surroundings are not just a physical location but a tapestry of history, mythology, and devotion that continues to captivate the hearts and minds of those who seek the divine in this sacred land.
My earlier blog article on Lord Hanuman
Trivia: Hanuman is Barack Obama's Luck Charm. In an interview with Youtube creator Nilesen, it was revealed that Lord Hanuman is in the US President's personal memorabilia which he carries everywhere along with few other things in his pocket for inspiration.
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